Secondary electrode for electrolytic apparatus.



PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903.

P. IMHOPR SECONDARY ELECTRODE FOB. ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

7 APPLICATION FILED-DEC. 17. 1902.

30 MODEL.

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL IMHOFF, OF LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNITED ALKALICOMPANY, LIMITED, OF LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

SECONDARY ELECTRODE FOR ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 722,583, dated March10, 1903.

Application filed December 17, 1902. Serial No. 135,517. CNo model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PAUL IMHOFF, Ph. D., chemist, a subject of theGerman Emperor, residing at 30 James street, Liverpool, in the county ofLancaster, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSecondary Electrodes for Electrolytic Apparatus, More EspeciallyIntended for Use in the Manufacture of Ohlorates, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to secondary electrodes for electrolyticapparatus, more especially intended for use in the manufacture ofchlorates. Several types of such secondary electrodes already exist, andamong them are those in which the anode and cathode each consist ofplatinum sheet or wire and those in which the anode is formed ofplatinum sheet and the cathode is formed ofsome other metal, such ascopper, the joint anode and cathode being separated or not bynon-conducting or dielectric material except, of course, where thenecessary electrical connection is made.

According to this invention the manufac ture of chlorates, for example,by electrolysis is efiected with improved results and without the use ofthe expensive platinum electrodes, as heretofore, by employing an anodebuilt up of platinum wires or strips and a cathode of a cheaperconducting material in the form of wires, rods, plates, bars, strips, orgauze, both anode and cathode being built upon opposite sides of anon-conducting sup porting plate or body of slate, glass, stone, orother suitable material. The necessary connections between the anode andcathode are made by bringing the ends of the platinum wires or strips ofthe anode around the edges of or through holes in the supporting plateor bodyand wrapping, welding, or otherwise fastening these ends to, in,or around adjacent portions of the cathode material.

The accompanying drawings show ways in which this invention can beperformed.

Figure 1 is an edge view, and Fig. 2 a section at right angles showingthe platinum wires of the anode passed through holes in thesupporting-plate. Fig. 3 is an edge view,

and Fig. 4. a section at right angles showing the platinum wires of theanode passed around the edges of the supporting-plate.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a portion of the end and an end view of a cathode-rodwith a slit in it for the reception of the platinum wire of the anode.Figs. 7 and 8 are like views showing a hole in place of a slit. Figs. 9,10, 11, and 12 are face views of part of the anode side, Fig. 9corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2 and Fig. 12 corresponding to Figs. 3and4; Figs. 10 and 11 respectively show the platinum wire wrapped aroundand secured in slits in the cathode-rod. Fig. 13 shows a face view ofthe cathode side, in which the cathode material is in the form of gauze.

In the several figures the platinum is shown in the form of wire a andthe cathode in rod form 1), except in Fig. 13, where the cathodematerial is in the form of gauze; but it is to be understood that theform may be varied, as hereinbefore indicated. In all the figures thesupporting-plate of electric non-conducting material which separates theanode and cathode material is marked 0. Distance pieces or strips 01keep the anode material and the cathode material from contact with theplate 0. These pieces or strips (1 may be separate pieces or be formedin one with the plate 0. In Figs. 1, 2, and 9 the ends of theanodewi'res a are shwon passed through holes in'the plate a and thenthrough holes 19 Figs. 7 and 8, in the cathode-rods b. In Figs. 3, 4,and 12 the ends of the anode-wires a are shown passed around the edgesof the plate 0, and then through slits b Figs. 5 and 6, in the ends ofthe cathode-rods b. In Fig. 10 the ends of the anodewires a are shownpassed through holes ,in the plate 0 and wrapped around the cathode-rodsb. In Fig. 11 the ends of the anode-wires a, are shown passed throughholes in the plate 0 and through slits in the ends of the cathode-rodsb. The ends of the wires a may be secured in v or to the rods 17 bypressure, so as to make a firm contact between them. In Fig. 13 the endsof the anode-wires a are shown passed around the edges of the plate 0and interlaced with the gauze cathode b. When holes are used in the saidsupporting plate or body 0, they may be filled in or not with cement,glaze, or other filling material. Very good results are obtained with acathode of iron or of carbon; but other conducting material of ICC) lessexpensive character than platinum may be employed with similar results,and this invention is therefore not limited to the use of iron orcarbon.

The improved secondary electrodes according to this invention giveexcellent results in practice and combine simplicity of constructionwith a minimum quantity of electrical power and of platinum.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the saidinvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare thatwhat I claim is 1. Secondary electrodes consisting of an anode ofplatinum Wires or strips, and a cathode of iron, carbon, or otherconducting material of a less expensive character than platinum, in theform of wires, rods, plates, bars, strips, orgauze,and an interveningsupporting plate, or body,of non-conducting material; the platinum,wiresor strips, of the anode being passed through or around the edges of thesaid supporting plate, or body, and secured to, in, or around therespective wires, rods, plates, bars or strips, or gauze, constitutingthe cathode material.

2. Secondary electrodes consisting of an anode of platinum wires, orstrips, and a cathode of iron, carbon, or other conducting material of aless expensive character than platinum, in theform of wires, rods,plates, bars, or strips,and an intervening supporting plate, or body,ofnon-conducting material; the platinum wires, or strips, of the anode,being passed around the edges of, or through holes in, the saidsupporting plate, or body, and secured in slits, or holes, in therespective wires,

rods, plates, bars, or strips, of cathode material.

3. Secondary electrodes consisting of an anode of platinum wires, orstrips, and a cathode of iron, carbon, or other conducting material of aless expensive character than platinum, in the form of wires, rods,plates, bars, strips, or gauze,and an intervening supporting plate, orbody, of electrically non-conducting material, the platinum wires, orstrips, of the anode being passed through holes in the said supportingplate, or body, and secured to, in or around, the respectivewires,rods,plates, bars, strips, or gauze constituting the cathodematerial, and the holes in the said supporting plate, or body, beingfilled in with cement, glaze, or other filling material.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PAUL IMI-IOFF.

Witnesses:

CHARLES COLLINS, THOMAS KENDRIOK J ONES.

